29-Year-Old Facing Murder Charge In Connection With 2020 Shooting: DA

MINEOLA, NY. — A Hempstead man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a murder that took place in October of 2020, prosecutors said Wednesday.

According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, 29-year-old Ramel Ferguson had been indicted in November of 2020 in connection with a murder that had taken place in a parked car in Hempstead a month earlier. He was arraigned Tuesday, and he now faces charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, prosecutors said.

Ferguson approached 31-year-old Karson Banks on the morning of Oct. 5, 2020, while Banks sat in his parked 2007 Nissan Murano, the DA said.

Ferguson "allegedly fired four shots at Banks at close range, striking him on the right side of his body in the lower back, side, his right arm and left upper arm," prosecutors said. Banks was pronounced dead at the scene, while Ferguson fled the state, the DA said.

"This defendant allegedly ambushed Karson Banks in broad daylight, striding up to the passenger side of the car where Banks sat and fired four shots at close range, killing him. Ferguson fled the scene and the state and has remained on the run for the last five years — until now," Donnelly said. "As law enforcement closed in on him, Ferguson finally gave himself up to police to face prosecution for allegedly taking Karson Banks’ life. No matter how much time has passed, my homicide prosecutors never give up on a case. We will find the perpetrators, and we will bring them to justice for the tragedy and death that they cause."

Ferguson was arrested Tuesday, the DA said said. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, and is due back in court on Dec. 8. If convicted, prosecutors say he could face 40-years-to-life in prison.

Ferguson’s attorney, Stephen LaMagna, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.